MCPHERSON EARNS TRACK GOLD

World Athletics said on Sunday that Stephenie Ann McPherson, beaten to silver by Dutch rival Femke Bol in the individual 400m the previous day, finished off the track events at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 by anchoring Jamaica home to gold in the women’s 4x400m relay.

“McPherson took over a decent lead from third-leg runner, Roneisha McGregor and had enough left in reserve to push again in the home straight and bring the baton home in 3:28.40 ahead of her statuesque Dutch rival,” World Athletics said.

“Bol, who had not run in the morning’s qualifying round, had enough energy to move her team through to silver after taking on the baton in fourth place, coming through on the inside to record 3:28.57,” it added.

World Athletics said Lieke Klaver “had done her powerful thing” in the opening leg, handing over a lead to Eveline Saalberg, “but by the close Bol had serious work to do — and she did it.”

Bronze went to Poland, with European champion Justyna Swiety-Ersetic anchoring them to a time of 3:28.59, World Athletics said.

It said the United States, who had won this title on four of the five previous occasions, were unable to make the podium on this occasion, with Lynna Irby bringing them home in fourth place in 3:28.63.

Great Britain, into the final as non-automatic qualifiers, finished fifth in 3:29.82, ahead of Belgium, who clocked 3:33.61, World Athletics said.